Newcastle upon Tyne Millionaire Street

A relieved Army veteran won People's Postcode Lottery just 12 hours before moving home then declared, "I almost cancelled my ticket!"

Alan had intended to stop playing at the house he'd sold - then sign up when he bought a new property. But, as he was packing up for the flit next morning, Alan was left stunned after being presented with a cheque for £166,666.

The delighted former Coldstream Guardsman, of Newcastle upon Tyne, was met with chants of "Well done, Alan" from neighbours, as he revealed, "I was going to cancel my ticket and renew it wherever I end up. Thank goodness I didn't.

"I've got to be out by 2pm tomorrow and I'm basically packing up the house now because I need a new start. This has helped give me that."

An emotional Alan shared the £1 Million jackpot with five neighbours in Newcastle upon Tyne after NE5 4BA landed our weekly Millionaire Street prize today. Each ticket was worth £166,666.

Dreaming Of A Log Cabin

The dad-of-one - who had just finished a night shift as a security guard at Newcastle College - had been planning to move into his nephew's home while he took his time viewing other properties to buy.

But he has always dreamed of a log cabin in the Northumberland countryside - and a holiday in Turkey and Greece.

As he lifted boxes and cleaned windows, helped by locksmith son Lewis, he said, "I put my house on the market last September before it sold in eight or nine weeks. I couldn't believe it was so quick. I'm moving into my nephew's and have a lot of viewings to go to.

"I can't take this in. I thought after getting the phone call that it might be £2,000 or £10,000 at the most.

"I've always wanted to go out and get a log cabin in Northumberland. Who knows! I also told my son I'll sort him out. A holiday in Turkey or the Greek island of Skiathos would be good, too."

He added, "I'll be packing up for the rest of the day, so I'll go out tomorrow and have a nice meal and drink to celebrate. My legs won't belong to me!"

Mum's The Word

Mum-of-three Claire - who lives next door to winner Alan - revealed her mum persuaded her to sign up a year ago. And she was presented with her cheque on mum Geraldine's 57th birthday.

Claire said, "I signed up a year ago. My mum made me because she plays too - and it's her birthday today."

Geraldine said, "I looked after my father-in-law and every time the Postcode Lottery advert came on the radio he used to sing the theme tune, 'Someone's knocking on the door...' I said to our Claire that she should put it on. Now look what's happened!"

Claire now fancies a new car after ditching her old one during the pandemic - and treat the kids to a break in Walt Disney World in Florida.

She said, "I got rid of my car during COVID and never got another one. This means I'll be able to get the kids out and about a bit more. I love Turkey, I could take the kids there or Disney in America.

"I'll definitely treat my mum and dad, and my sister and her family as well. They all deserve a treat. I've got an amazing family, they're always there for me."

Then she and neighbour Alan waved their winning cheques at each other over the shared garden fence.

Claire said, "I'm so happy for Alan. I hope the new neighbour is as good as him."

Alan added, "It's lovely for Claire. She deserves it."

Double Money

Along the street, trucker Anthony had pulled his HGV lorry into a layby to get a video call from his wife Christine to say they'd each won £166,666.

Teaching assistant Christine screamed "Oh my God, I'm so happy!" when her prize was revealed - then phoned her hubby in his truck cab to break the news.

Anthony joked on the call, "She's in charge of the money. I just make it."

Christine said, "This is unbelievable. I thought it might be £20,000 and that would have been lovely. This is wonderful, but it doesn't feel real just yet.

"I didn't get any sleep last night. My husband was snoring and I was tossing and turning. Things like this don't happen to people like us."

Christine and Anthony - who will celebrate their 45th anniversary later this year - already had plans for a new bathroom, and have the garden done up. Christine has also dreamed of taking her son, daughter and four grandchildren on a dream family break.

She said, "I'll be getting a new bathroom definitely. And I'll landscape my garden - front and back.

"I want to help our son, daughter and grandchildren and do things for them, make sure they're alright. It's nice to be able to do that.

"I'd love to go to the Maldives. I'd like to do a big family holiday where everyone goes away together. I just want to share it with them."

A Good Spender

Down the road, Tom and Anne were also in holiday mode after their win - and plan to return to Mexico.

Anne, who has MS, had to sit down after seeing her winning amount, and said, "Eeee! My God! Look at that. We can go back to Mexico. We've only been once, but we loved it.

"We're both not in good health, but we're going to enjoy this. We're going to have a few holidays. I can spend, I'm a very good spender."

Retired taxi driver Tom laughed, "I'll not see much of it, that's the problem."

The couple now plan to support their two daughters and four grandchildren.

Bubbly Anne said, "We'll help our daughters out. One of them needs a new suite and the other needs things for her new home."

But she confessed she has a soft spot for handbags, purses and shoes - and might treat herself to Michael Kors gear.

She said, "I've always wanted a bag and I'm going to get myself a bag. I'm going to the shop and I'll just walk in and pick a bag."

But Tom - who is the ticket holder - joked, "I'll be left with £80 when this is finished!"

Anne added, "We're happy for the other people in the street and glad to share it."

Helping Charities

Anne and Tom, like the other winners, first signed up for People's Postcode Lottery to help a range of local, national and international charities.

And one right on their doorstep has benefited from their Millionaire Street joy after Postcode Community Trust awarded Newcastle-based disability arts organisation Liberdade £70,000.

Liberdade Community Development Trust is an arts organisation for people with learning disabilities and runs the Gosforth Civic Theatre. It's a place which provides opportunities for those with special educational needs to train, perform, and belong; empowering them to feel valued and visible.

Rob Huggins, co-founder and CEO, said, "Our mission is to create change and raise expectations about what people with learning disabilities can achieve.

"Today's funding has been much needed. Thanks to players of People's Postcode Lottery, we could cover all our overhead costs for our community activities for the rest of the year, which is incredible."

Founded by people with learning disabilities as a safe space for them to feel included and train up, Gosforth Civic Theatre runs up to 800 different activities and events for the community per year - from live music, theatre, film and comedy nights to weekly gaming and dance classes, and even weddings and conferences.

Rob added, "Gosforth Civic Theatre is for anyone and everyone. We are here to champion people with learning disabilities and autism, but also to help to connect and serve the whole of the local community, with a broad programme of events, a friendly warm cafe, and all the other activities on offer here at Gosforth Civic Theatre."

Other charities in the area receiving funding thanks to Saturday's Millionaire Street prize win include:

• Child Growth Foundation - £30,000 A charity that supports, understands and manages growth conditions to improve the lives of children, young people and adults affected.

• Westerhope and District Community Association - £20,000 A community association that provides activities including fitness, arts and craft classes, and community support groups

• D2 Youth Zone - £30,000 A neighbourhood project that provides practical and emotional support and a range of activities for young people who have fewer opportunities and who are living in difficult social situations.

• FareShare North East - £70,000 A surplus food charity on a mission to get good food delivered to good causes.

• Projects4change - £30,000 An organisation that addresses the needs, voice and rights of young people. They work within communities and in partnership with others to create youth work projects which help young people develop and flourish into adulthood.

All funding was awarded by Postcode Community Trust (opens in a new tab).

Thousands Of Supported Projects

Today's prize is part of a draw promoted on behalf of Postcode Education Trust (opens in a new tab). Supported by our players, this trust delivers grant funding to organisations that provide education, particularly in emergency situations. Benefiting charities include AfriKids, War Child and Save the Children.

With 33% of the ticket price going to Charities, our players have now raised more than £1.2 Billion for good causes across Great Britain and internationally. People's Postcode Lottery players have funded thousands of deserving projects protecting people and the planet.

Have you signed up to play yet? Take a look at all the amazing Prizes our players can win. If you aren't sure how to join the fun, find out How It Works. It's really easy to sign up and play.